Tractor



A. E. SCHAAF AND S. W. MILLS. TRACTOR.-

`APPLICATION FILED DEC. 29, 1.911. 1,342,765.

Patnted June 8, 1920.

8 SHEETS-SHEET l.

A @WW1/Ow A [bert Sch tcmey WM L LS. W x rpm,

abbot/n e130 A. E. scIIAA'F AND s. w. MILLS.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 29. I9I7.

Patented June 8, 1920.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

IIIirmUIIINnWI III I jCofco Albert EScIaa Stan ley WMU E. SCHAAF AND S. W. MILLS.

TRACTOR.

. h APPLICATION FILED DEC.29| 1917.

1,342,765. Patented June 8, 1920.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

L L Y UTD I Q5 Q3 c.

I\ Q l\ Q .1 .o S2 I I o 9 I 2221:@ o

. :o No f. f l //FI' I un 'l M. S

l N E :Q M I T gwuentow euhm/nuja APPLICATION FILED DEC.29, I9I7. 1,342,7 65.

A. E. SCHAAF AND S. W. MILLS. TRACTOR.

8 SHEETS*SHEET 4.

y 1 gain I AIIeri ESCIIaaf I StanIeyWMIIIS Patented June 8, 1920.

A. E. SCHAAF AND S. W. MILLS. TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILI-:D DEc.29, I9I7.

1,342,765. Patented June 8, 1920.

8 SHEETS-SHEET i l l l l n IIIIIIIA I -E g UWIIIII I 1 IIIIIIIIUIIllI A. E. SCHAAF AND S'. W. MILLS.

TRACTOR.

l y APPLICATIONV FILED DEC. 29l 1917. 1,342,765.

Patented June 8, 1920.

s SHEETS-SHEET e.

@mm1/Lkw Auert EScLlaaf StanleyWMiUs A. E. SCHAAF AND S. Wl MILLS.

TRACTOR.

APPLlCATION FILED-DEC.29, 1917. 1,342,765.

8 SHEETS-SHEET I.

l um *Y umili Il" v bQrtESC'maf Stanze MIA/1.115.

Patented Jun@ s, 1920.

TRACTOR.

IIS nm mau/ww. 15.1. 2. M1, 9a .UM lm WSW @www M. s @Ey @A wm .nlm MH AS n e D a D1 m am. 2 rw E D D E L n N 0 n A C u DI P A uni-reo staresv PAT-ENT OFFICE.

ALBERT E. SCI-IAAF AND STANLEY W. MILLS, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, .ASSIGNORS TO HIGHWAY TRACTOR COMPANY, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA.

TRACTOR.

Application filed December 29, 1917.

Our said invention relates to tractors and,

consists in the combinations and Yarrangements of elements hereinafter described and particularly set'forth in the accompanying claims.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a tractor having a single tractor wheel, whereby to ccntralize thetractive effort of the whole tractor and thereby obtain its maximum draw-bar pull for hauling trucks or other heavy loads, and wherein the tractor wheel, the motor, the operators seat, and all auxiliaries and controls therefor, are balanced and arranged on the chassis, to obtain a lstable and rigid structure capaable to withstand rough and heavy usage.

The invention has for its further purpose to construct a tractor of this type, having the tractor wheel journaled on a revoluble section in the chassis or frame, and with the motor, transmission, steering` gear, operators seat, and all controls therefor, also mounted thereon to enable the tractor, with its load, to be turned or steered in any direction with the driver always facing the" direction of travel, or backed with the:

driver facing the load.

lt is further contemplated to provide the revoluble section of the chassis .with a super-frame structure adapted to support the engine, the driving transmission, the steering control, and the seat of the operator in radial symmetry and in balanced relation to the tractor wheel journaled in said frame.

The structure further involves novel means for resiliently supporting the journal bearings otV the tractor wheel to the end that the greater portion of all shocks and jarring will be taken up by the wheel alone and thereby relieving the remaining tractor structure from this wear and strain.

The invention is disclosed by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings wherein Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J une 8, 1920.

Serial No. 209,497.

Figure l is a side elevational view of the tractor,

2, a top plan view of the saine,

Fig. 3, a side elevation, partly in section, of the forward end of the tractor,

Fig. 4 a top plan view ot' a portion of the frame structures,

Fig. 5 a vertical longitudinal section of the main and super-frame structures,

Fig. G, a vertical cross section through the tractor Wheel,

Fig. 7 a vertical section on the line 7 7 of Fig. 6,

Fig. 8 a plan view of the transmission casing and clutch casing,

Fig. 9 an elevation of the same showing the transmission gearing,

Fig. 10 an elevation ofthe transmission gearing with the cover removed to more clearly illustrate the arrangement of gears,

Fig. l1 a section on the line l'l-ll of Fig. 10, and,

- Fig.- 12 a section on the line 12-12 of Fig. 10, and

Fig. 13 a side elevation of a modified form of tractor,

Fig. 14 a top plan view of the same,

Fig. 15 a top plan view of the main and super-frame structures of the tractor shown in Fig. 13 and,

Fig. 16 a vertical longitudinal section on the line 16--16 of Fig. 15.

The tractor or vehicle comprises an assembly of novel components or elements arranged in a manner to produce a substantially unitary structure wherein the several elements are inter-dependently related, and said elements comprise essentially a chassis having a revoluble section supporting a super-frame structure, and for steering purposes, a single tractor and steering Wheel, a motor, resiliently supported journal bearings for the tractor wheel, a driving transmission, and a steering control, the whole being arranged and mounted on the revoluble frame to locate the center of-mass of the structure in the vertical line passing through the point of ground contact of the tractor wheel; and in this general order the several components or elements will now be separately described.

The chassis or frame consists of a body portion 15 of channel-iron construction and rectangular design, as shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 5, and an annular section 1G is secured rigidly'to the front portion of the frame 'l5 by the p'air of side webs 17 and a crossbar 18 in thel manner shown. rllhe annular frame section 16 is formed with a circumferential and inturned flange 19 along its lower edge that forms a supporting base or ledge on which the revoluble frame section 20 is mounted to operate. y

The supporting or super-frame which carries the tractor Wheel and all movable parts, is mounted on the revoluble frame section 20 by the pair of trusses (see Figs. 3 and 5) disposed in parallel relation on opposite sides of the tractor wheel and comprising` each a pair of truss members 21 and 22 suitably secured to the internal webs 23 on the frame part 20, by the bolts 24, or other suitable fastening means; and two reinforcing bolts 25 are secured Within the truss portions of the frame pieces 21 and 22 as clearly shown in Fig. 5. A super frame structure comprising a rectangular section 26 connected by the cross-bars 27 is mounted on the pair of truss members by welding to the upturned ends 28 thereof or by fastening bolts, or other means.

The tractor and steering wheel 29 is of the general type employed on trucks for carrying heavy loads (see Figs. 6 and 7,) having a relatively broad rim mounting a pair of separate and independenttires .30 of the continuous tread type, though it is contemplated to employ tires of other design to meet various conditions. Thus in agricultural pursuits where soft or plowed ground is encountered, it is intended to use a Wide wheel with steel face, and also to provide means to apply the rubber tire in sections that may be easily replaced by steel tires of equal sections by-the use of bolts or other suitable fastenings. The'machine may therefore be operated in agricultural pursuits and easily and quickly adapted to highway and street use by the exchange of thesteel tire for a rubber one.

The tractor Wheel 29 is mounted on roller bearings 30 on the axle 31 which is journaled in the pair of bearing blocks 32 provided with sleeves 132 adapted to have limited sliding movement on the pair of reinforcing bolts 25 of the truss frames. A pair of load supporting springs 33 is located between each of the bearing blocks 32 and the upper member of the truss frame, and a rebound spring 34 takes up the relative movement between the bearing blocks and the lower member of each' truss frame. rllhe sleeve bearings 132 of the blocks 32 are kept free from foreign matter by the several washers 125, of felt or other suitable ina-- front portion (26and 27) of the superframe structure. A fuel supply tank 135 has suitable connection with the engine and the radiator 136 communicates with the engine cylinder water jacket throughl the pipe' 137, and said pipe also serves as a reinforcing member or truss rod to stabilize the motor on the chassis. A fan 138 is located in front of the radiator and connected to be driven from the motor by the chain or belt drive 139 as shown. Said tank and radiator and all parts associated therewith are located with regard to the other. elements of the tractor in -a manner to produce a balanced and unitary structure.

The transmission or drive (see Figs. 3, 8, and 12) consists of a casing 36 containing selective gearings for driving the shaft 37 from the engine shaft 38, and a chain 39 connects the sprocket 40 of the shaft y37 with the sprocket 41 of the driven shaft 42 journaled on roller bearings 43 in the spider 44 that is mounted on the wheel axle 31 (see Fig. 6). Said spider 44 is sustained and held against rotation by the torque rod 144 that connects with the spider by the ear or lug 145 (see Figs. 3 and 6) and has its other end connected tothe bracket 146 on the super frame structure (see Figs. 3 and 5).

The driven shaft 42 drives the tractor wheel 29 by a pinion 45 on said shaft 42 meshing with the teeth of an internal rack or gearing 46 formed on the inner 4surface of the wheel rim (see Figs. 6 and 7). In

this construction the central web 47 or spokes of the tractor wheel 29 are not located medially of the' wheel rim but slightly to the side for the purpose of bringing the internal or driving gear (45 Vand 46) as near as possible to the center of the wheel and thereby bring the torque from the pinion 45 substantially within the vertical planeof said wheel.

. The shaft 38 has mounted thereon, within the casing 36, a pinion 48 meshing with a pinion 49 that is loosely'journaled on the shaft 37; and said pinion 49 1S connected to drive the shaft 37 at high speed through the coupling elements 50 and 51 mounted on said pinion 49 and the sleeve 52 respectively. The tractor wheel is connected to be driven at low speed from the engine through the pinion 53 fixed on the shaft 38 and adapted to mesh with the relatively larger pinion 54 carried by the sleeve 52 that is splineld on the shaft 37.

The reverse drive is through the'idler pinion slidable on the counter shaft 56 and adapted to engage with the two pinions 53 and 54 as will be understood. 'l` he sleeve 52 and the sleeve 57 carrying the idler pinion 55, are shifted to obtain high speed, low speed, 4or reverse drive, by suitable manual controls locatedin convenient proximity to the position of the driver.

gro

lmounted on a shaft 63 that has both slidable and angular movements (see Figs.'3, 4, and 5). The shaft 63 is operated by the lever 164 that works within an H plate 165. Said arm 62 engages with a forked extension 64 of the shaft 59 to shiftsaid arm shaft 59 for high or low speed. And the arm 60 is shifted to obtain reverse drive' by moving the'arm 62 out of engagement with the part 64 and into engagement with the extension 65 of said arm 60.

The driving shaft 38 is connected to be driven from the motor through the ily wheel 66 and a clutch element as shown in'Figs. 8 and 9. The fly wheel is suitably mounted on the crank shaft of the engine (not shown) by the bolts 67, and is formed with allan'ge 68 carrying the cover plate 70 forming therewith a housing that contains the clutch elements. y

The clutch per se consists of a spider 69 splined onthe extension of the shaft 38 and having a pair of friction strips 71 on opposite faces thereof. The clamping ring 7 2 mounted on levers 73 is shifted to operative or inoperative position by the collar 74 slidable on the shaft 38, and said levers are fulcrumed on the ears 75 secured to the inner side of the cover plate 70. The clutch shifting collar 74 is adapted to be operated from the pedal 76 through the reach rod 77 and the connecting rod 78. Said rod 78 connects with a stub-shaft 79 carrying arms 80 that engage with the head 81 of the sleeve 82 carrying the collar 74. A spring 83 normally holds the clutch elements in engaging position. A

The brake consists of a rim 84 formed on the flange |47 of the tractor wheel and adapted to be engaged on its inner surface by an expansible band 85 having a friction strip 86. Saidlband is formed'of two parts pivotally mounted on the pin 87 (see Fig. 7) that is secured to the spider or arm 44.

The two band members are adapted to be reach of the drivers seat 96, and the shaft 97 of said wheel has a pinion 100 suitably secu-red to its lower end, and engages with an annular gear 101 secured to the upper surface of the annular frame section 16 by the screw threaded bolts 102 whose heads fit within counter-sunk recesses in the rack bar. In addition to its functi n as a steering element the rack bar also Aserves as a re- -taining member for holding the annular frame parts 16 and 20 in assembled relation, and further serves to seal the annular space 103 between said parts that is utilized as a channel for distributing lubricant and thus keeps said lubricant in prime condition and free from foreign matter.

The trailer wheels for the tractor consist of apair of ordinary vehicle wheels 104 journaled on the axle 105 that is mounted under-slung on the rear end raised portion 106 of the frame 15. See Figs. 1 and-2.) Said axle 105 has also mounted thereon springs 107 supporting the frame 108 vthat carries a fifth wheel coupling 109 for the trailer vehicle `110. And-said trailer wheels, together with the tractor wheel constitute thevehicle into an independent unit capable of transporting itself alone and thereby obtaining highly flexible service from a system which employs this type of vehicle.A i Referring to the modified type of tractor in Figs.' 13 and 14 the construction is sub-v stantially the same as thatdescribed in the foregoing.. In 'this case, however, the coupling device for connecting the tractor with the vehicle to be hauled consists of a drawbar or frame comprising side members 111, a cross piece 112, and an angular reinforcing member 113 as shown. The two side members 111 are' swingingly mounted on the bearing blocks 114 secured to the sides of the frame 15 and thus the draw-bar may be raised or lowered for coupling the trailer vehicle in accordance with the height of such vehicle.

The frame or 'chassis 15 and the superframe structure carrying all turning parts are likewise similar to those above disclosed. The journal blocksl 32 are provided with side supports 115 which retain 115 andA guide said journal blocks as distinct from the sleeve bearings and guides in the i'io . frame construction.

'tractive effort is centralized at the one point of ground contact to obtain the maximum draw-bar pull for hauling trucks, or other .heavy loads, and wherein the motor, the

through the point of ground contact of the wheel.

Having thus described our said invention what we claim as new and desire to secure A by Letters Patent is:

l. In a chassis for tractors, the combination of a frame having an annular section, a revoluble section mounted in said annular section, truss bars mounted on said revoluble section, and a super-frame structure mounted on said truss bars, substantially as set forth.

2. In a chassis forl tractors, the combination of a frame having an annular section, a revoluble section mounted in said annular section, truss bars mounted on said revoluble section and adapted to receive the journal bearings of the tractor wheel, and a super-frame structure mounted on said truss bars, substantially as set forth.

3. In a chassis for tractors, the {combination of a frame having an annular section, a revoluble section mounted in' said annular section, a pair of truss bars mounted on said revoluble section and constructed to receive the journal bearings of the tractor wheel, a super-frame structure mounted on said truss bars, and an annular rack bar for steering purposes located between said annular sectionand the super-frame structure, substantially as set forth.

4. In a chassis for tractors, the combination of a frame having an annular section, a revoluble section mounted in said annular section, a pair of truss bars mounted on said revoluble section, said truss bars having reinforcing parts providing guides for the journal bearing members of `the tractor wheel, and a super-frame structure mounted on the truss bars, substantially-as set forth.

5. In a chassis for tractors the combination of a frame having, an annular section and a rectangular section, a revoluble section mounted in said annular section, and a super-frame structure mounted on said revoluble section and providing journal bearings for a tractor wheel, substantially as set forth.

6. In a chassis for tractors the combination of a frame having a rectangular section and an annular section, said rectangular section providing journal bearings for the vehicle wheels; a revoluble section mounted in said annular-l section, a pair4 of truss bars mounted on the revoluble section and providing journal bearings for a single tractor wheel, and a super-framestructure mounted on said truss bars` substantially as set forth.

7. Ina chassis for tractors, the combination` of a frame having a rectangular section and an annular section, said rectangular section providing journal bearings for vehicle wheels; a revoluble section mounted in said annular section, a pair of truss vbars mounted on the revoluble section and providing journal bearings for a single tractor wheel, a super-frame structure mountedV on said truss bars, and an annular rack bar mounted on said annular section for steer-` ing,substantially as set forth.

8. In a chassis for tractors, the combination of a frame having an annular section, a revoluble section mounted in said annular section and having internal web portions, truss bars mounted on said web portions, and a .super-frame structure mounted on said truss bars, substantially as set forth.

9. In a chassis for tractors the combina# tion of a frame having an annular section provided with an internal flange, a revoluble section mounted in said annular section and supported by said flange, said revoluble section having internal web portions; a pair of truss bars mounted on said revoluble section, substantially as set forth.

IO. In a tractor the combination of a f ame having an annular section, a revoluble section mounted in said annular section, a single tractor wheel journaled insaid revoluble section, said tractor' wheel having a flange off-set from the middle rim portion and provided with an internal gear, a spider, a torque rod for said spider, a shaft journaled in said spider, a pinion on said shaft meshing with said internal gear, a motor mounted on the frame having driving connection with said pinion shaft, and a steering control, substantially as set forth.

1l. In a tractor, the combination of a frame having an annular section, a revoluble section mounted in said annular section, a single tractor wheel journaled in said revoluble section, said tractor wheel having an internal gear located immediately adjacent its medial rim portion and having a brake flange within said internal gear, a spider, a torque rod for said spider, brake actuating means mounted on said spider cooperable with the brake flange, a shaft journaled in said spider, a pinion mounted on said shaft and meshing with said internal gear, a motormounted on the frame and having driving connection with said pinion shaft, and a steering control, substantially as set forth.

l2. In a tractor the combination of a vframe having an annular section, a revoluble section mounted in said annular section, a super-frame structure mounted on said revoluble section, a single tractor wheel journaled in said super-frame structure. a motor mounted on the super-frame structure connected to drive the tractor wheel; a

sheet metal guard mounted on the superframe structure and nclosng the tractor Wheel, the motor, and the transmission; a seat for the driver and a steering Control mounted on the super-frame structure, and a top for the tractor mounted on said sheet metal guard, substantially as set forth.

In Witness whereof We have hereunto set our hands and sealsat Indianapolis, Indana, this 24th day of'August, `A. D., nne- 1 0 teen hundred and seventeen.

' ALBERT E. SCHAAF. [13.5.] STANLEY W. MILLS. [L.S.] Witnesses:

E. W. BRADFORD, A. C. RICE. 

